The seminary community is marked by a spirit of joy and shared mission. Life as a seminarian is a blend of prayer, study, pastoral experience, and recreation.
The seminarians’ daily schedule is guided by the principle of giving God the first fruits of the day. Seminarians begin each weekday with Mass and morning prayer, followed by breakfast in the dining room. Most classes are held in the morning, with an off-campus pastoral formation assignment occupying one afternoon each week for most seminarians. Time for study and recreation is often found in the late afternoon and evening, before and after evening prayer and dinner. The Sacrament of Penance and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament are offered each day; formation conferences and house meetings are held weekly.
Weekends find both houses coming together for Mass, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, recitation of the rosary, and Holy Hour.
As a human community, the seminary must be “built on deep friendship and charity, so that it can be considered a true family living in joy” (PDV 60). Guidelines for achieving this ideal are given in the formation handbooks. The Josephinum community strives to make this ideal a reality through the many individual and group initiatives of its seminarians. Among the latter are the two bodies chiefly responsible for student government and community life: the School of Theology Student Senate and the College of Liberal Arts Student Council. Both bodies are comprised of seminarians elected by their confrères, and both meet regularly to discuss matters pertaining to community life, to supervise the work of seminarian committees, and to plan apostolic and recreation activities.
The Health Center is staffed on weekdays by a registered nurse who provides assessment, medical referrals, and immunizations.
An annual health fair focuses on preventative wellness education, including blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol screening.
All seminarians are required to have health insurance. Seminarians who do not have coverage through their diocese or parents are required to purchase the school’s health insurance plan.
When needed, several excellent health care facilities are available in the Columbus area.
The Josephinum has a full-time licensed psychologist who is available to provide confidential help to seminarians.
Seminarians are encouraged to use these services when assistance is needed in identifying and resolving personal challenges.
Excellent indoor recreation facilities are available to the seminarians on campus, including a swimming pool, a well-equipped weight room, and a gymnasium equipped with a regulation college basketball court and three practice cross-courts.
For outdoor recreation, there are handball courts and large, well-kept athletic fields for softball, baseball, soccer, and football. Paths for hiking along the Olentangy River and through the woods are found at the west end of the property. The mile-long drive on the property provides a safe place for jogging. Facilities for racquetball, golf, roller skating, and ice skating are available in the vicinity. Three ski areas are located within an hour’s drive of the campus.
An active intramural sports program includes football, softball, and basketball. The Josephinum basketball team plays in tournaments, at home and away. The seminary hosts a basketball tournament once each year. Other activities such as movie nights, pub socials, canoe trips, and picnics are offered periodically.
To find out more about life as a Josephinum seminarian, reach out to us today.